I may be deciding between 2 different Lew's crankbait rods and I saw this comparison. I am a fan of the split grip style on a rod but saw for whatever reason this "thing" (I know it helps with your grip but I am not sure if I have ever heard a specific name for it) is much larger than the traditional size. Anyone have any experience with this kind of thing? I may have to order online and if I do I will upset if when it arrives and I do not like it. Why would they design something so much different? There has to be a reason I have not thought of or something.

I just found a video on Youtube that David Fritts did about this. Said this design allows you to have your whole hand above the "trigger" giving you more control and not tiring you out as much. Anyone experience with this design?

Left is the original, right is the 'Palmer version.  I had an original for a season.  I've got no complaints about it at all.  For a good price, I'd buy another one.  Only reason I sold it was because it was the 9 foot model.  It was great for throwing 10XD's (which is why I bought it), then I realized I hate throwing 10XD's.

 

Haven't used the Palmer model but I'm not sure it'd be my thing.  I like to keep a pinky behind the trigger.

 

 

The picture on the left shows a regular reel seat, where you keep your the trigger between your fingers. The picture on the right is a palming reel seat, where you rest your pinkie in front of the trigger.

 

Palming reel seats are supposed to reduce wear on your hands when you're working hard-pulling baits. I really like them and use them on my deep cranking bass rod and muskie rods, but some people hate them. I'd recommend trying one before you buy it. In my experience, it feels odd when you first start using it, but you get used to quickly.

 

I haven't used the Palmer model, but I feel like it would offer me less control of the rod. Has anyone found this to be true?

Never tried the Palmer model but love the regular models. Been using the Lews Perfect Crankbait Rod for a long time, great rod for  a small price.